BSc Hons Biochemistry (C700)BSc Hons Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry (C720)MSci Hons Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry (C721)BSc Hons Biochemisry and Molecular Medicine (C741)BSc Hons Biochemistry and Genetics (CC47)MSci Hons Biochemistry and Genetics (CC4R)
Biochemistry(C700 & C703)
Pre-Arrival Handbook 2017
School ofLife Sciences
School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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WELCOME TO UNIVERSITY!
Welcome to your Biochemistry Degree Course at the School of Life Sciences,University of Nottingham
BSc Biochemistry (C700)/MSci Biochemistry (C703)
PLEASE READ THIS HANDBOOK CAREFULLY. It contains essential information about pre-registering for your degree, contact details and sources of information, information about Week Oneactivities, choosing modules and about being a University student.
You will be given a more detailed Student Handbook when you arrive – we don’t want to overload youwith information before you get here! If you have any further queries after reading this handbookplease do not hesitate to contact us either through the following website(www.nottingham.ac.uk/studentservices) or by visiting one of the Student Service Centres.
Contents
Important Things to Do Before You Arrive ......................................................................................... 2
Checklist for Week 1 ...................................................................................................................... 3
Week 1 timetable........................................................................................................................... 4
Finding Your Way Around…………………………………………………………………………………….….5 - 6
Medical School Maps……………………………………………………………………………………………7 - 11
General Information…………………………………………………………………………………….……………12
About Being a University Student............................................................................................ 13 - 14
School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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Important Things to Do Before You Arrive
Read this leaflet carefully. It contains important information that will help you prepare foruniversity and successfully complete week 1. Read the information provided by the universityadministration carefully.
Registration online: You will be provided, or already have been provided, with informationfrom the university about online registration. Online registration is open from 4th September2017 at 9.00am (you will also have to register with the University, the University HealthService and for your course all in person, see the Week I timetable later in this handbook).
Optional modules: Shortly after you arrive you will have to choose optional module(s) foryour first year. Further information on the optional modules available can be accessed throughhttp://programmespec.nottingham.ac.uk/nottingham/asp/course_search.asp. There will also beinformation provided at your course welcome talk and in the Qualifying Year handbook (whichyou will receive on your first day) on the optional modules available and the module enrolmentprocess.
Textbooks: we provide a list of recommended text books (see enclosed) for your course, butyou can wait until you arrive before you buy as we have negotiated with the Universitybookshop a discounted bundle (see enclosed leaflet). We strongly advise you to buy atleast one good biochemistry textbook, one molecular and cell biology textbook and abiomolecular skills textbook. You may be able to buy some textbooks second hand at theuniversity, including from the bookshop.
Request a laboratory coat. The School will provide you with a laboratory coat free of charge.Please go to the WWW site below and indicate the size you require (deadline 13th September2017 at 5pm).
http://tinyurl.com/labcoat2017
Computers: The University provides computers for student use throughout the campus butyou may wish to bring your own. Information about the Student Network Service andrequirements for connecting to the SNS can be found here:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/it-services/index.aspx
Things to bring with you: This booklet, remember to bring this booklet with you when youcome to university!
Disabilities: The University of Nottingham is committed to promoting access for students whohave a disability, dyslexia and/or a long term medical condition. For more information aboutthe services available to students with disabilities see:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/StudentServices/supportforyourstudies/index.aspx/
School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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Checklist for Week 1
Timetable: Look at the timetable for Week 1 (next page) and know what registration events/talks you must attend.
University Registration: If you have not done so already ensure you have registered with theUniversity online and received a university user name. You must also attend the universityregistration session in the Sports Centre on Tuesday, 26th September 2017 at 14.00pm.
Course welcome and registration: Attend the School welcome events and course specificregistration and related events on Monday, 25th September, Tuesday, 26th September andWednesday, 27th September (see timetable for Week 1).
Health Centre registration: Register with the University of Nottingham Health Service, if youwish to do so (recommended) at the University Great Hall/Senate Chamber, Trent BuildingWednesday, 27th September 2017.
E-mail: Make sure you can access your University email account. We will only use youruniversity e-mail address.
Optional module choice:o During the course registration event on Monday you will receive information on enrolling
onto optional modules.
o On Wednesday afternoon there is an opportunity for you to discuss your optional modulechoices with us before you finalise your choices.
Tutor: Meet your tutor on Wednesday 27th September 2017 (see Week 1 timetable).
Mentor: Meet your student mentor, a student on your course from a higher year who can helpyou settle in, on Thursday, 12th October 2017. Further details will be circulated prior to theevent.
Find your way around: Know where the lecture theatres and practical labs are located (seemaps)
Module timetable: Know when and where your first lectures are for your autumn modules. Itis important that you attend these first lectures as further information about the module,including timetables and a handbook, are often given then. Your complete timetable can befound at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studentservices/services/teaching-timetabling.aspx
Log in with your university username and password.
School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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Biochemistry Registration events
Monday 25 - Friday 29 September 2017
Day Time Event Venue Notes
Monday
10.30-
12.00
Biochemistry welcome
and registrationCoates, C24
YOU MUST attend this
AND the university
registration (see
below)
13.00-
14.00
Welcome and
registration event (all
teaching groups)
Coates Road Auditorium
14.00-
15.00Meet Your Peer Mentor
Departs from Coates Road
Auditorium
Tuesday
14.00 University Registration David Ross Sports VillageYOU MUST ATTEND
THIS
15.15-
15.30Language Modules Talk Life Sciences B3
A short talk on theoptional languagemodules available fornew students (OptionalSession)
Wednesday
08:00 -
12.30
University Health
Service registration
(Please allow 30
minutes).
Great Hall/Senate
Chamber, Trent Building
(see campus map)
You can register any
time during this slot.
10.00
Distribution of lab
coats/Module handbook
collection
A1 Life Sciences Building
Please ensure you
bring a bag with you
as you will be
collecting a number of
module handbooks
during the session
14.00-
16.00What is Biochemistry?
Lecture Theatre 4,
Medical School
16.00-
17.00Meet your tutors Various rooms, TBA
You will be assigned a
tutorial group at the
Monday course
registration.
Thursday
and Friday
Lectures commence. For an up-to-date timetable, please visit:http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studentservices/services/teaching-timetabling.aspx
School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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Finding Your Way AroundStudent Service Centres
Other service centres are located next to the Portland building (University Park) and on the Jubilee andSutton Bonington campuses. Satellite service centres are located at the Royal Derby Hospital, City
Hospital and the Humanities Building on University Park.
Medical School Student ServiceCentre (B Floor, Entrance toFootbridge)
UP East Service Centre
(Located next to Physics building)
School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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Finding Your Way Around
No. Building Rooms
23 Life Sciences Building A floor laboratories
24 George Green Science Library
28 School of Chemistry Lecture theatres X1, X2, A2
43 Centre for Biomolecular Sciences
43-46
Footbridge to Medical school
46 Medical School Lecture theatres LT1, LT4, C1052(C50) and D96; A & B floor seminarrooms; E1, laboratories C99a-9.Medical library. See Medical Schoolfloor plans
51 Coates Road Auditorium A150 (behind Centre forBiomolecular Sciences and oppositeCoates Building, entry requiresstudent card)
54 Engineering & Science LearningCentre (ESLC)
56 Keighton Auditorium B60
22 Physics B13
27 Pope Building A13 A floor, C14, C18
36 Coates Building C24, C19
School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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General Information
Contact Details
Postal Address:
University Park East Student Service CentreThe University of NottinghamUniversity ParkNottinghamNG7 2RD
StudentServicesCentre
Student Services Centre UP Eastwww.nottingham.ac.uk/studentservices
Course Directors
Dr Fergus Doherty (Life Sciences) Tel: 0115 [email protected] Simon Dawson (exams & progression) Tel: 0115 [email protected]
University Dates 2017-2018
Terms AutumnSpringSummer
Monday 25 September 2017 – Friday 15 December 2017Monday 15 January 2018 – Friday 23 March 2018Monday 23 April 2018 – Friday 22 June 2018
Semesters AutumnSpring
Monday 25 September 2017 – Saturday 27 January 2018Monday 29 January 2018 – Friday 22 June 2018
Exam Dates(provisional)
Autumn
Spring
Resits
Monday 15 January 2018 to Saturday 27 January 2018 – includingSaturday 20 January 2018Monday 21 May 2018 to Saturday 09 June 2018 – including Saturday 26May and 02 June 2018Monday 20 August 2018 to Wednesday 29 August 2018 – excludingSaturday 25 August 2018
Please note: The University requires you to remain in residence throughout the full period of eachterm, including the first and last days of term.
Useful Links
University of Nottingham homepagehttp://www.nottingham.ac.uk
School of Life Sciences homepage:http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/life-sciences
School of Chemistry homepage:http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/
Module Catalogue:http://modulecatalogue.nottingham.ac.uk/nottingham/
Accommodation:http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/accommodation/accommodation.aspx
Student Services:http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studentservices/
Moodle:https://moodle.nottingham.ac.uk
School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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About Being a University Student
Surviving the first week
You will find it strange being away from home, especially if it is a new experience for you. Try toensure you know where you have to go and when in advance so that you don’t miss anything. Therewill be organised introductory sessions during the first week that will help you for the rest of your timeat Nottingham. Don’t miss them because you didn’t read your timetable. Plan where you have to goin advance and ensure you know the way. It will take a while to find your way around so allow enoughtime.
You will meet the teaching staff at various events in the first half of the first week and you will meetyour Personal Tutor. He/she can help you with any questions you have. You will be bombarded withlots of paperwork! Try not to ignore it because it is very important. Try to organise the informationyou receive so you know what you have and read it.
Try to meet one or two friends at least early on. Swap phone numbers and socialise. If they are onthe same course it helps to go to the different events together and you can look out for each other.
Remember that teaching starts on Thursday 28th September 2017. Don’t miss the first lecturesas these may well contain important information/handouts you will need for the rest of the session.
Attending lectures
Studying at University can be quite a change from being at School. You may have been in a smallclass at School, but you may well find yourself in a lecture room with 180 to 350 other studentsdepending on which modules you take.
Think of the logistics of 200 students getting out of a lecture room as another 200 want to get in! Itpays to get to lectures a few minutes early. Arriving late not only disrupts the lecturer but you maymiss some important announcements at the start of the class.
Don’t sit near the back! Sitting near the front ensures you can see and hear what is going on andkeeps you away from the noisy groups at the back who don’t want to listen!
TAKE A PEN AND PAPER! You will probably get handouts and there may well be notes on Moodle, butthere is nothing more useful than taking some notes during the lecture and writing them up afterwardswhile the information is still fresh in your mind. This guarantees you will have thought about theinformation in the lecture at least once before you have to revise for an examination. If you haven’ttaken notes in class before, there is information about study skills on the University website to guideyou and your tutor will help you. It takes time, but learning to study independently and managingyour studies is an essential part of being at University.
Attending tutorials:
Tutorials are provided for several reasons:
You have the opportunity to ask questions about your course or other related matters; You will be given work to do to help your learning and understanding of the course; You will develop transferable skills including essay writing, giving short talks, solving problems -
all of which are essential if you wish to follow a career in science.It is important to develop a good relationship with your Tutor. He/she will be a person you will want toask to write references for you when you apply for jobs. If you don’t attend they won’t know who youare!
School of Life Sciences
BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-ARRIVAL HANDBOOK
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Coursework
When you are given assignments (lab reports, essays) to complete you will be given a deadline to handin your work. You must meet these deadlines. There is a University wide standard late submissionpenalty of a deduction of 5% per day for any work that is handed in late. If you have a genuinereason why you may not be able to meet the deadline let the convenor of the module or your tutorknow in advance and you may be able to be given an extension to the coursework deadline.
Academic staff
The lecturers in your School have many jobs to do. They are not just there to teach. Most of the timethey will be involved in scientific research projects or School and University administration activities.They have to publish research papers and attract research funding from granting bodies. This isbecoming extremely difficult and takes a lot of time. Of course, teaching is a very important part oftheir job, but it is your responsibility to learn rather than ‘be taught’. This is different to being atSchool and you must adopt a professional attitude to your studies.
Staff are there to help you, but you need to appreciate their other important jobs and be prepared tomake appointments if you wish to see them outside scheduled lectures, laboratory sessions ortutorials. Be professional when talking to or emailing staff. Check how your tutor wants to becalled for example. It may not be appropriate to email the Course Director and start your messagewith “Hi Fergus”.
In lectures show respect for the lecturer and the other students in the class by keeping quiet unlessasking a question and ensuring your mobile phone is switched off.
Come with a positive attitude to your studies!
If you don’t have a positive attitude to your studies you won’t get a lot of work done and you will haveto do a lot of work to catch up! Having a good attitude motivates you to take good notes in lectures,to hand in well prepared assignments in practical classes and tutorials and, ultimately, to do as well asyou can in the examinations. Enjoy your studies - it should be an enjoyable and productive time atUniversity and you have worked hard to get here.
Having said that there is lots of potential to get stressed! Try not to let the amount of informationoverwhelm you - keep it organised. You will have a great deal of freedom as to how you learn andstudy. It is important to manage yourself and your time so that make the most of your Universitycareer.
WORK HARD AND PLAY HARD - it may not seem like it at the start but your time here will fly by veryquickly.
WE SINCERELY HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR TIME AT NOTTINGHAM. IN MANY WAYS THE MORE YOUPUT INTO YOUR COURSE AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THE MORE YOU WILL TAKE OUT. HAVEA GOOD TIME HERE.